I was diagnosed with cancer just after giving birth

I worked full time as a beauty manager before having my son Fiachra. While I was pregnant with him, I was getting really itchy legs and a shortness of breath.

I had Fiachra on October 18th, 2019. I was in the shower a few days later when I felt a lump while I was washing my neck. I’m very body aware, so I knew it wasn’t there before. I rang the doctor.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was actually relieved as I finally had my answer. I looked at the success stories and thought I was strong enough to beat it.

I had six months of chemotherapy. Luckily, I wasn’t throwing up, but it was hard looking after a new-born while going through treatment because I was so tired. I wanted to be the best mummy and I know that bonding is so important during the early months, but it was so hard.

Unfortunately, I got an infection several times and I had to have several week-long stays in hospital. This took me away from Fiachra more, which I hated. On a bad day I would think: “I can’t do it anymore” but then I’d think about Fiachra, and I’d do it for him.

I was in the same situation as other mums in that playgroups were closed due to Covid, but other mums could have picnics in the park with their babies, but I couldn’t go out as I was so susceptible to catching things. We had no garden at the time either, so we were stuck in the house all day.

We had no visitors and my mum left groceries at the door for us. I couldn’t even give her a hug. It was hard for her watching me go through it and not being able to give me a hug too.

Luckily my partner was so supportive. He took the time off work both to look after Fiachra while I was in hospital and to reduce the risk of bringing infection into the house. Fiachra was such a good baby, I was very lucky.

When the time is right, I will tell him that I was sick. I made a journal and took pictures at every chemo session so I will give it to him when he is old enough to understand.